Alcaftadine approved for ocular itching

Jacksonville, FL-Alcaftadine ophthalmic solution 0.25% (Lastacaft, Vistakon) has been approved by the FDA for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in patients aged more than 2 years.

The H1 histamine receptor antagonist also inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects were eye irritation, burning and/or stinging on instillation, eye redness, and eye itching. They occurred in less than 4% of alcaftadine-treated eyes.

The most common non-ocular side effects were nasopharyngitis, headache, and influenza. They occurred in less than 3% of patients with alcaftadine-treated eyes.

The ophthalmic solution is packaged in 5-ml bottles containing 3 ml alcaftadine 0.25% (2.5 mg/ml) preserved with benzalkonium chloride. The recommended dosage of alcaftadine is one drop in each eye once daily.